The fiancé and I have been joking around lately because I’ve taken so many pictures at train stations or on trains. We started saying we should just call this blog Jersey Girl, Train Stations haha. It’s totally fine though. I actually do really like trains, especially old train stations. Today is also the third installment of my $10 Thursday series! I am loving this challenge series for today’s challenge I was surprised when I went to the register.

I was at Old Navy doing this whole $10 challenge thing and I immediately went to the clearance section because I knew I’d find something. So I found this black and white striped midi pencil skirt and thought to myself, I can totally wear this as a bodycon tube top dress as well. Well, the tag said something along the lines of $6 or $7. So I thought, ok awesome, I have $3 to spare now I just need to get something else. I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to get so as I approached the registers they had a rack of belts that were on clearance so I saw this leopard print one and fell in love because I’ve been looking for a good thin belt I can use around my waist (which is why I got a small, normally with these hips of mine I can barely fit with large size belts). The belt was $2 and some change according to the sticker so I was excited because I spent the $10 with some extra savings. After being rung up, I saw the total and was in absolute shock. I’m assuming there was extra percentages off that I didn’t know about, or the items got marked down even more because I paid a total of $3.12! For my $10 challenge I saved an extra $6.88 on accident.

As I said in my first $10 Challenge post when I introduced this series, it’s quite the challenge to even get me in a store nowadays. I’ve been so extremely busy and stressed that I just don’t have time or patience to dig through all of the sale racks and even make it into a store. I rarely ever walk in a store anymore unless it’s the grocery store. I do most of my shopping online and I’m actually able to score some awesome deals. I’m also able to find stuff that isn’t available at the stores near me. I used to love digging through stores and finding great deals, but now that I have so much going on, it’s not really enjoyable for me anymore. If you read my post on Tuesday you could have probably noticed from my writing that I’m frustrated and just burnt out. That’s why I basically forced myself to do this challenge so I could take some time to myself.

]]>http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/10-challenge-oldnavy/feed/0Bioré Charcoal and a Linkuphttp://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/biore-charcoal-and-a-linkup/
http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/biore-charcoal-and-a-linkup/#commentsWed, 14 Mar 2018 04:00:09 +0000http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/?p=274696I’m sure y’all have heard or seen charcoal beauty products become really popular over the past year or so. I’ve been wanting to test out some of these charcoal products but haven’t had a chance to until this post with Bioré. I was able to test out the Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask at …

I’m sure y’all have heard or seen charcoal beauty products become really popular over the past year or so. I’ve been wanting to test out some of these charcoal products but haven’t had a chance to until this post with Bioré. I was able to test out the Bioré Self Heating One Minute Mask at Amazon and the Bioré Deep Cleansing Charcoal Pore Strips at Amazon. I personally liked the mask better, but I’ll go into more details in a little bit. Both products are super affordable, and can be found at Target or Amazon. These products are perfect for when you want to pamper yourself for a few minutes at home because we all deserve some time to ourselves every once in a while. I’m actually trying to do that more often, which is why these products are perfect! Keep reading to see what I think of both products.

**UPDATE**

Since this post went live I’ve tried these Pore Strips a second time and I definitely didn’t do it right the first time around. It’s like a blackhead eraser! I’m in love!

Biore Cleansing Pore Strips

Now, this product was runner up to the self heating mask. It did help with some blackheads, but I wasn’t as impressed as I was with the mask. This was really difficult to get to stick because my nose wasn’t wet enough so I had trouble with it, but it did it’s duty for the most part. Maybe I was doing it wrong and that’s why I didn’t get the same end result as some people. The way that you use these is you have to wet your nose and then you just peel the clear back off the strip and apply. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then you take it off. When I took it off it left a black residue (which is probably part of the charcoal infused part of the strips) so I had to wash that off as well. I’m going to have to try it again, because maybe I still had makeup residue on my face.

This mask was really easy to apply and at first I didn’t know how I felt about the self heating part, but I ended up loving it in the end! It was extremely relaxing and refreshing. It was also really easy to wash off, because you know how sometimes masks harden and then it takes forever to wash them off? This one was super easy. All you do is apply it, then massage it to activate the heat, and wash it off after a minute. The box for this comes with 4 masks total. Now, I don’t like to do masks too often, I do them at most once a week. This box will last me a month, maybe even more if I skip a week.

Conclusion

In conclusion I definitely liked both products. I obviously liked the mask more than the strips, but both get a recommendation from me. They are both affordable and you definitely get a bang for your buck. Have any of you tried either of these products? Which one do you like better?

]]>http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/biore-charcoal-and-a-linkup/feed/22Taking Time to Relaxhttp://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/taking-time-to-relax/
http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/taking-time-to-relax/#respondTue, 13 Mar 2018 15:53:33 +0000http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/?p=274767DISCLAIMER: This post has been sponsored by AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine. I’ve talked about wanting to relax many times on this blog in the past, but it is just so hard to find the time. I start the week out with good intentions, but as each hour goes by, my day seems to get busier …

I’ve talked about wanting to relax many times on this blog in the past, but it is just so hard to find the time. I start the week out with good intentions, but as each hour goes by, my day seems to get busier and busier, making it hard to put down my work, or avoid my to do list, in order to do something good for me. I know this is bad, trust me. In fact, I just read a study done by Dartmouth College about stress and relaxation. They said, “The ability to relax is important in effectively managing stress and anxiety. When we feel stressed, our bodies react with what is called the “fight or flight” response. Our muscles become tense, our heart and respiration rates increase, and other physiological systems become taxed.” This is just one of many reasons why everyone should make time for relaxation. I know that I am going to try my best to incorporate into my daily life. Here are a few ways that I have considered doing so:

Bubble Baths

Bubble baths are so relaxing and I don’t know why I do not do them more often! Head over to your local Lush, or Target and grab some bath bombs, bubble bars (or soap), and throw them in your tub. You can read while you are in the tub, listen to relaxing music, or even watch a TV show or movie, if you have access to a computer or TV – just make sure you don’t drop your phone in the tub. This is also a great time to do a hair mask, exfoliate your body, or put on a face mask. Warm bubble baths can promote detox, it can help boost your immunity, and they also promote healthy skin. I would highly recommend avoiding synthetic scents, though. Instead, try finding organic, or natural products to use, or you can even create your own with essential oils!

Face Masks

Face masks are so good for you! They help draw out any impurities, hydrate your skin, remove excess oils, and help improve the appearance of your pores. They also help you feel clean and refreshed, which is important when it comes to relaxation. The great thing about facial masks is the fact that you can pretty much do them anywhere and anytime. If you are taking time to relax, do one in the bathtub, or while reading a book. If you are needing to use one on the go, put it on right before you leave work and then take it off as soon as you get home.

Manicures & Pedicures

There is nothing better than having someone massage your hands and feet, while making them look and feel better. Getting your nails done, no matter if you get both your feet and hands done, or one or the other, promotes relaxation and it keeps your nail beds healthy. Just make sure they always open a new pack of nail tools, or you risk infection.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a fantastic addition to your stress-relief plan. It can help with back and neck pain + migraines, which can sometimes be a result from built up stress and it can also help with depression, anxiety, and even general emotional health. In addition to stress relief and pain and emotional health help, it can also be used for a wide range of different health conditions, which can improve quality of life. For example, if you have inflammatory disorders, neurological and neuromuscular disorders, mental health conditions, accident/injury recovery, gastrointestinal and liver disorders, as well as some conditions affecting the kidneys, lungs, heart, or reproductive system.

Massage

Who doesn’t love a good massage? I think a massage is the epitome of a stress reliever. The great thing about a massage is that usually during your appointment, you are only thinking about how great your body feels, instead of thinking about everything that is stressing you out. Massages are also great for pain relief, and can be focused on the muscles, injuries and problem areas, which is great for all around health! “Achieving maximum health is more than the absence of an illness. Authentic human health also includes the fulfillment of potential — potential for healing, creativity, wisdom, love, friendship, family, career, spirituality, physical fitness, leadership, and more,” says AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine.

AllCure Spine & Sports Medicine is the private practice of Anthony Alfieri, D.C., M.S.. They are located in Monroe, NJ and have designed their office to be an oasis for healing, with a family atmosphere. Between Massage, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, and more, you will definitely find your relief from pain and stress when visiting their office.

Vacation

A vacation is obviously not an ‘everyday’ way to relax and work on your stress levels, but it can significantly help your stress levels before a trip, during a trip, and after your trip, so I highly recommend planning at least a few short (or long) trips throughout the year!

]]>http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/taking-time-to-relax/feed/0What I think of Vero, Instagram, Giveaways etchttp://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/what-i-think-of-vero-instagram-giveaways-etc/
http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/what-i-think-of-vero-instagram-giveaways-etc/#commentsTue, 13 Mar 2018 04:00:25 +0000http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/?p=274681I’m sure y’all are sick of hearing about the newest Instagram algorithm (it’s actually old news by now) and how hard it’s been for a lot of bloggers lately. Today I wanted to talk about a few topics, my thoughts on Vero, Instagram, Giveaways, and how I’m thinking of shutting down the blog. I’ve been …

I’m sure y’all are sick of hearing about the newest Instagram algorithm (it’s actually old news by now) and how hard it’s been for a lot of bloggers lately. Today I wanted to talk about a few topics, my thoughts on Vero, Instagram, Giveaways, and how I’m thinking of shutting down the blog. I’ve been in quite the funk over the last few months, and I’m still waiting for my “aha” moment to snap out of it. Let’s get started! Oh, and disclaimer, this is a bit of a rant because I’m actually really frustrated and irritated while writing this but I need to let it all out haha.

Vero

Ok, so I loved the idea of Vero and how it was supposed to be this new up and coming platform and how it would actually benefit bloggers. It’s basically a dark version of Instagram, but it also has other options where you can share your blog links directly, videos, music, etc. So basically you can connect with your followers on a different level. You can also have followers, acquaintances, friends, and close friends as connections. You can pick and choose what you want each group of people in your connections to see too. Let’s say I post something that’s super personal, I can pick and choose if I want my followers to see or just my close friends.

However, there are some major cons that I’ve seen and read lately that I wanted to touch base on. When I first downloaded it I could not do ANYTHING. It was super glitchy and I wasn’t the only person who had this problem. They ended up fixing this, at least on my end within a few days. On top of that a lot of people since signing up have gotten an insane amount of phone calls (because you need to verify your account with your phone number) that are spam. I have not experienced this yet, but I also always get spam calls so I really wouldn’t know if it was my normal spam calls or thanks to Vero.

Another major con is the CEO and founder of Vero. I read a few articles that apparently the CEO is not exactly a model citizen. He worked for another company where he was a “head honcho” at that left 30,000 people jobless and without paychecks. You can read all about him online, but ever since I haven’t really been active on Vero because why would I want to contribute to a social media platform with a CEO that has such terrible morals? I really honestly don’t know if I’ll stick with Vero because I do love the idea of it and the platform itself, but just knowing the CEO is a horrible person is something I don’t know if I’m willing to get on board with.

Instagram

The social media platform that the majority of people are talking about is Instagram. I’m sure you’re sick of hearing about it, I mean I’m sick of hearing about it too. From a blogger’s use and personal use I honestly hate Instagram now. I can understand why some bloggers are happy about the new algorithm, but sorry ladies and gents, I’m one of the many who’s complaining. If you’re already an established blogger (that Instagram prefers over others), the algorithm doesn’t really mean much to you, but if you’re someone like me who’s on the Insta struggle bus right now, it’s really hard to get on board with those bloggers who are all for the algorithm.

My engagement decreased because of the new algorithm, so I did a little research. I recently noticed another change, that it’s no longer the top 9 posts with the recent posts below under a hashtag, but it’s ALL top posts and you have to physically click on the “recent” tab to see all the recent posts. Wow, thanks Instagram. Now it’s nearly impossible to get noticed, because let’s be honest, how many people are going to take the extra effort when the top page has absolutely beautiful pictures?

Not everyone can have the perfect Instagram that’s up to their standards. Not everyone is able to afford lavish travels all around the world, or a new Gucci bag every week, or even going to amazing events all the time. Not everyone wants to look like every other Instagrammer who all talk about the same shoes that they got from Nordstrom. I also am not a huge fan of Nordstrom since I worked there (obviously didn’t have a great experience) so I may also have a bias opinion against these Nordstrom happy influencers.

From personal use, I also hate Instagram. I miss the chronological order of things because I’m SICK AND TIRED of seeing the same picture multiple times in a week, or even seeing the same user multiple times a day. Yes, I liked two or three of their pictures, but that doesn’t mean that’s the only user I want to see. I also hate the fact that when I go in the explore page I see the same bloggers all the time, and when I follow a blogger that I’m ACTUALLY interested in (that’s not like every other blogger clone) then they don’t show up in my feed whatsoever. Even though I search their account every day and like their photos every day. They are still not showing up in my feed. Why is that Instagram? Where’s your algorithm for that?

I also started following hashtags and I’m seeing THE SAME PEOPLE. That’s not why I followed the hashtag. I followed it to discover many different accounts. If I wanted to only see pictures of one person then I would follow that person, right? I know that a lot of established bloggers have had the argument of “well we have more chance of someone seeing our photo when it’s not in chronological order because my photo from 3 days ago is still relevant in their feed” which is absolutely true and you have to have a certain amount of engagement to stay relevant and actually show up in your own followers feeds, but this rapid decrease in engagement is extremely frustrating. I understand Instagram wants to “give us what we want” but why would we follow an account if we didn’t want to see their pictures? Also, the amount of bloggers/instagram users that like the old algorithm is a lot higher than the ones who like it.

Side rant: if one more person tells me that some rep at Instagram said shadow banning isn’t real I’m going to scream. It’s happened to multiple people I know, myself included, and when you report it to Instagram you don’t hear back at all and you’re not seen to anyone for multiple days. This IS a thing, it’s not just small bloggers being paranoid or being “salty” that big bloggers are being chosen by Instagram to be seen. #sorrynotsorry Someone from one of these blogging groups I’m a part of was also able to speak with an Instagram rep and they stated that Instagram doesn’t know about like pods, and that, that engagement doesn’t count against you. LOL! Almost everyone out there knows what a like pod is. I find this EXTREMELY hard to believe. Instagram is totally playing the game right now. I used to love Instagram because I’m a visual person, but I’m starting to hate it. I wish that it wasn’t such a big platform that a lot of companies focus on. I’ll be here building up my blog instead of my Instagram, thank you very much!

Giveaways/Loop Giveaways

If you noticed last year I did a lot of Loop Giveaways. If you don’t know what this is, it’s a giveaway on Instagram where you have to follow a bunch of people as your entry to win what’s in the giveaway itself. Now, I did A LOT and I’m sorry for those of you who had to constantly see those posts, I look back on it now and see how ineffective they were in the long run. I stopped doing them because I started noticing that I was losing more followers than gaining. Since I stopped the loop giveaways back in September I’ve lost 1,000 followers so far. I’ve also gained followers at the same time, but that’s a lot of people. I decided that I didn’t want to “buy followers” anymore because that’s basically what you’re doing with a loop. You’re buying in to a giveaway in exchange for an unidentified amount of followers. It may not be a straight forward money for followers exchange but it’s pretty similar.

I’ve also decided to stop doing giveaways in general here on my blog, at least for right now. My mind might change in the future, but people who have won giveaways in the past have either not followed the rules and not posted about it on social media or have actually unfollowed once they received their product. HOW RUDE! **Said in a Stephanie Tanner voice** You won an expensive piece, or a bundle of things for free, you didn’t even have to pay shipping and you don’t post about it and you unfollow. Thanks to those people, they have ruined it for everyone else. The giveaways I did on my blog were personal. They were me wanting to celebrate something with my followers and other bloggers. It was a way for me to show my appreciation for y’all. However, out of all the giveaways I’ve done in the last almost five years and out of all the people that have won only two are still following. It’s just disheartening and I’m disappointed.

Shutting down my blog

This isn’t set in stone yet, but I’ve been contemplating this ever since the summer to be completely honest. I’ve been blogging for almost 5 years and am nowhere near what my goals were. I recently migrated my blog to WordPress, starting taking photos in different locations, and started doing more research about blogging/SEO, etc. I’m not about to go back on why I started, and I’m not about to buy thousands of followers or flash my body (except progress photos) on Instagram just to get noticed. That’s not me and it never will be. It’s not even tempting for me.

I hustle and this blog was my fun place, my creative outlet. However, lately it’s turned into something I’m not having as much fun with anymore. One of my blogger friends who I’ve talked to about recent decrease in engagement on social media shared her same frustrations with me. Nowadays most platforms are money hungry and just want bloggers to pay for sponsored posts. Which, if these actually worked then yea, I would totally increase my advertising budget for this, but I’ve done Instagram sponsored posts along with Facebook and really have not seen a difference in engagement or new followers. After talking to her she said that she’s been thinking of shutting down her blog but then she sees how far she’s come and thinks it’s not worth shutting it down because it’s something she’s proud of. She told me that maybe I need to take a little break and really see what my followers and readers prefer the most. I honestly don’t know what I will do at this point, but I’m walking that dangerous line of should I shut it down or keep going. I don’t want to give up, I really don’t, but at this point there are too many things bringing me down because I take things too personally that I don’t really know what to do.

I know that this isn’t my usual positive post and this is more of a rant than anything else, but I needed to let it all out. I also know that there’s bloggers reading this who feel the exact same way I do, but no one wants to be a Debbie downer. It sucks, and I really don’t know what to do anymore. Maybe I’ve just hit a rut, but who knows. It’s all just extremely discouraging. Maybe this has to do with the serious things going on in my life outside of this blog that are just bringing my spirits down in general, I’m not entirely sure, but this feeling is just not ideal.

Welcome back to my second installment of my $10 Thursday Challenge! Today I’m tackling TJ Maxx. I definitely lucked out when I went to TJ Maxx for this post. Y’all will never guess how much I paid for these shoes. I have been wanting to get espadrilles for a little while, but I’m always so hesitant because I know I can easily ruin them. The last pair I had, I stepped in a puddle and they were never the same again. That’s why I only ever buy them when there’s a good sale, and these babies were ONLY $4! Yes, you read that right. These shoes were $4. I guess they were from last summer and were just at TJ Maxx for long enough to get marked down that much. They are slightly too big, but for $4 I will MAKE IT WORK honey. The top is by Lucky Brand and it was only $6. I spent exactly $10 at TJ Maxx.

This is why when people come to me and say “I don’t understand how you’re always buying clothes and still continue to have money.” It’s because I shop smart. I only splurge every once in a while when I get a paycheck for my blog, or if I am getting a bonus from work. I strategically plan my shopping sprees around those things haha. That’s why sometimes you’ll see an abundance of new things, and then there will be a time where I wear certain things on repeat. I also make sure to always buy things on sale, with a coupon, with an extra percentage off, and with a card that has a rewards/point system. With this particular top and shoes, I just got really lucky that these were probably marked down a lot from last summer.

Now, a quick side note. Who here watches Stranger Things? Last weekend (if you follow my Instastories you already saw this) I binge watched Stranger Things Season 1. The fiancé had watched this when it first came out and I just never had a chance to sit down and watch, but he wanted to watch the second season with me so while he was working Saturday, after I had meal prepped and cleaned the apartment I parked my butt in front of the TV, Netflix and chilled with my pups, and caught up on Stranger Things. Then we both started Season 2 together. The fiancé keeps joking around that he has to be the voice of reason to say we need to stop watching it’s time for bed because I’m just THAT into it! I think this is on my top faves list right next to Dr. Who and Orphan Black. It’s one of those shows that makes you think “this could very well be real.” The crazy thing, is I read that Stranger Things was inspired by some conspiracy theories, the most influence was from The Montauk Project. I cannot wait for Season 3 to come out!

]]>http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/10-challenge-tj-maxx/feed/21 Month Keto Progress and a Linkuphttp://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/1-month-keto-progress-and-a-linkup/
http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/1-month-keto-progress-and-a-linkup/#commentsWed, 07 Mar 2018 05:00:11 +0000http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/?p=274645Today’s post is all about my Keto progress! A few people have asked me about my progress or what Keto even is (especially on Instagram, so many people were curious) so in today’s post I’m going to take everyone’s questions and put them into one post. *Disclaimer* Please keep in mind I’m not a doctor, …

Today’s post is all about my Keto progress! A few people have asked me about my progress or what Keto even is (especially on Instagram, so many people were curious) so in today’s post I’m going to take everyone’s questions and put them into one post.

*Disclaimer*

Please keep in mind I’m not a doctor, or licensed in anything health related, I’m not a nutrionist or dietician. Please make sure to check with your doctor prior to making any changes to your diet or exercise regimen. Please also note that this post is soley based on my opinion, and any research that I have done online.

*End Disclaimer*

Ok, now that I got the numerous disclaimers out of the way, let’s move on!

Today I will discuss, what the ketogenic diet is, why and how I started it, and what my progress has been so far, on and off the scale, and how I would compare it to other diets that I’ve done. A lot of you have asked what’s keto or have never heard of it, or have been misinformed as to what it actually is. It’s not just a low carb diet, although that is part of it. I know that keto has turned into a fad diet, but when I talk to people who did the “fad” keto, it’s not entirely the same and when they don’t even know what ketosis is, it worries me a little. Keep reading to find out more!

What is the ketogenic diet?

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that in medicine is used primarily to treat difficult-to-control epilepsy in children. The diet forces the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. (off of Google)

From all the research that I’ve done and all the podcasts that I listened to (Joe Rogan’s podcast has a lot of interesting health ones, if you want a list of doctor’s that he had on the show, I can definitely provide that to you) the main purpose of the keto diet is to be in a state of ketosis. Here’s Google’s definition of ketosis:

A metabolic state characterized by raised levels of ketone bodies in the body tissues, which is typically pathological in conditions such as diabetes, or may be the consequence of a diet that is very low in carbohydrates.

When your body reaches a state of ketosis it has raised levels of ketone bodies, and this is also when your body starts burning it’s own fat instead of glucose, or in other words, carbs.

When I was doing research as to why some doctors will treat epileptics with the keto diet, I couldn’t really find the exact reason why, but from what I did read, there’s something that happens with the brain which helps stabilize whatever misfires are happening when you have seizures. Now, please don’t quote me on that because I don’t have the source for that. I’m going off of memory here.

Why did I start keto?

Well, I didn’t just fall into the fad of the diet. There’s an actual purpose to this diet for me. Back when I was first diagnosed with Epilepsy in 2005, I did a ton of research and found the keto diet. I did a lot of my own research about it and even watched a documentary. When I had asked my neurologist about it to see if we can give it a shot, he said no because it’s not for me and because I had already started medication. So I kept taking my medicine and kept the keto diet in the back of my mind for years.

Fast Forward to a few years ago when I asked the neurologist about the keto diet yet again, and again I was shot down. Last year I had asked about the keto diet, and again was shot down. No. No. No. You see, I would prefer to go a more natural route than continue to take medicine. However, I would never risk completely stopping my medication intake unless my doctor said we could try it.

Then, on Thanksgiving 2017 I had a seizure. You can read that whole post here. The doctor immediately increased my medicine, after 12 years of taking the same dose. The worst part, is that I would now have to pay DOUBLE because there is no single pill for my dosage, it’s two pills split up into two separate doses. I asked the doctor one more time about keto and the implant and he said no to both. Then when all of my test results came back he stated that everything was normal and that I would just need to take the higher dosage. No further testing to see if maybe something else is causing issues.

I decided to take manners into my own hands. Now, just fyi, I DO NOT recommend you doing this, this is just me being a rebel. I continue to take my medicine, but I decided trying the keto diet at the same time won’t hurt. Maybe it will help along with the medicine, or maybe it will somehow readjust everything in my body. I was told when I was first diagnosed that it’s possible for me to grow out of this type of epilepsy, and even though it’s been almost 13 years, I’m still crossing my fingers. I still have hope.

How I started keto

Ok, so as I said earlier I did A LOT of research (from November to January, not including the many years of reading about the keto diet prior to this recent seizure). I found this keto calculator which was able to help me figure out exactly what my grams of fat, protein, and carbs were supposed to be in a day. I did thorough research so that I did it right and without any ketone supplements. Everyone asks how I was able to kick carbs and sugar (even fruits) and I said because I’m doing this for my health and I really just HAVE to try and see if this changes anything. I’m no doctor, but I definitely feel a change. I was also able to get in a state of ketosis without ketone supplements! I was super excited when this happened.

I started looking up what other people were eating for the fat and protein intake because I’m not into super fatty meat unless it’s bacon, or sometimes when I eat beef. I read that my favorite meat, liver, was really high in fat, but the downfall is it’s also high in cholesterol. So, I can only eat that every once in a while. I’ve been sticking to mostly red meat and fish to be completely honest, and my fat has been coming from avocados, and dairy. I try not to have too high of a dairy intake because dairy is also high calorie. You have to be extremely strategic with this diet.

The first week I kept it super simple and ate eggs for breakfast, and then above ground grown vegetables (they tend to have less carbs) and the fattiest fish I could find; salmon. Then I would eat avocados and fatty deli meat. Even though I was doing everything by the book, I still ended up with keto flu!

What’s Keto Flu?

Exactly what it’s called. It feels like the flu, and it’s thanks to keto lol. When your body is adjusting it’s having a hard time because now all of the sudden it doesn’t have enough glucose to burn, so it has to start burning it’s own fat instead. This takes a toll on your body. I felt so lethargic. I couldn’t work out, and to be honest, it’s been really hard for me to start up again haha. Eff you keto flu!!!! I read that the best thing for keto flu is to drink bone broth. I didn’t try this, I just toughed it out and kept saying it will be worth it in the end. It definitely was.

Is it like Paleo? Can vegetarians/vegans do this diet?

I’ve never done Paleo so I can’t really answer this question truthfully. To be honest from what I’ve read, I would have to say no, it’s definitely a different diet, but I’m sure it’s just as difficult. My vegetarian friend tried this diet, but he just could not get enough protein in his system since he couldn’t eat meat or fish. I read that vegans shouldn’t try this diet because there is no way they will be able to get the proper intake of protein and fat.

My Progress

In one month here are my stats of what I lost:

Weight 13lbs

Left Bicep 1 inch

Right Bicep 1 inch

Chest 2inches

Waist 3.5 inches

Hip 2.5 inches

Left Thigh 1.5 inches

Right Thigh 1 inch

Left Calf 0 inches

Right Calf 1 inch

As for progress regarding my epilepsy, which is why I started this diet. I feel more alert, and more on point. When I wake up in the morning I don’t feel as foggy and I am on my feet faster than before. I wake up faster. I only use one alarm instead of three. I’m still nervous because of my last seizure but I’m definitely feeling a lot better with this diet. I’m not as tired and I don’t have that crash after I eat. However, when I did “cheat” one day and have Halo Top ice cream I felt like poop afterwards. Even though it’s supposed to be a healthier version and it does have stevia in it, I just didn’t feel normal and it did slightly kick me out of ketosis.

Comparisons

This diet is not like any other diet I’ve done. If you want to read my last comparison between workout programs, you can click here. As for this diet, I actually really like it. I do sometimes miss greasy NJ pizza or ice cream (especially ice cream cake), but I like the food with this diet better than the 21 day fix. Yes, it’s more annoying because I have to weigh everything as opposed to just “if it fits you can eat it” containers. I prefer being able to eat an entire avocado in one sitting, instead of only eating not even 1/3 of it and throwing the rest away because after a few days it goes bad. I like being able to eat fatty meat and not 93%-98% lean (percentages vary with meat during 21DF). I love cheese and I’m able to eat that on this diet, more than I was able to with the 21DF. The part I did like about the 21DF is you had an entire booklet telling you exactly what you can and can’t eat during the 21 days and it came with workouts and support groups/coach, whereas keto I did all on my own. I know a lot of people who end up not continuing with keto because it’s too hard. I’m not going to lie to y’all, it is hard in the beginning, but the end result is so worth it. The crazy part is, if you’re looking at it from a weight loss perspective, I lost more weight and inches in one month of keto (with maybe a total of 5 days of working out the entire month due to the keto flu) than I did when in a month of 21df and that’s including working out everyday. The thing is, both diets/programs are completely different and I can’t really say which one I would recommend (based soley off opinion, not medical expertise) because each person is different and each body is different. You may do keto and feel like absolute garbage, but if you do the 21DF you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world and vice versa. That’s why when people ask me which one I recommend I say I really can’t do that. I personally prefer the keto diet, but that’s because I like the food on the keto diet more, and I also feel much better than I did with 21DF. That’s just my opinion though, not a recommendation.

Are you still doing keto, or is it just a one month thing?

So, I’m still doing keto. Some doctors in the research I’ve done have said that you shouldn’t do this for more than 3 months and others swear by this as a lifestyle so it’s really hard to actually say which route would be better for me. However, I think since I have epilepsy I’m going to continue it, however I have decided that I will allow myself a few more cheat days than just once a month. I don’t know how long I will do this for, so we shall see!

*Disclaimer*

Please keep in mind I’m not a doctor, or licensed in anything health related, I’m not a nutrionist or dietician. Please make sure to check with your doctor prior to making any changes to your diet or exercise regimen. Please also note that this post is soley based on my opinion, and any research that I have done online.

*End Disclaimer*

Ok, so now that I got all of that out, let’s move on to the weekly linkup!

]]>http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/1-month-keto-progress-and-a-linkup/feed/15Is the Wish App worth it? And what other overseas brands are worth it.http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/is-the-wish-app-worth-it-and-what-other-overseas-brands-are-worth-it/
http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/is-the-wish-app-worth-it-and-what-other-overseas-brands-are-worth-it/#commentsTue, 06 Mar 2018 05:00:12 +0000http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/?p=274637Tee: Wish App // Skirt: MakeMeChic // Tights: Gifted // Shoes: Vans (sold out, similar here) Y’all. I have no words. I have no words for the Wish app. Well, actually that’s a lie I do, but I’m extremely frustrated. I had quite the experience with Wish and I just needed to talk about it …

Y’all. I have no words. I have no words for the Wish app. Well, actually that’s a lie I do, but I’m extremely frustrated. I had quite the experience with Wish and I just needed to talk about it here on the blog. Now, just so you know, this isn’t sponsored, I actually purchased these items on my own. Keep reading to see why I don’t think the Wish app is worth it (super bummed about that) and other companies overseas that I highly recommend! Also, it rained the entire time I was attempting to take this picture so I had to take it inside, and tried the whole artsy feel haha. I failed miserably, but it’s all good!

Ok, so let’s start from the very beginning. I saw the Wish app being advertised on Facebook and it had this adorable sweatshirt that I really wanted. One thing that I didn’t like and what should’ve steered me in the other direction was the fact that they used Zoe’s picture from this post. However, I really wanted this sweatshirt and the link on her blog was just too far out of my budget, and the one on the Wish app was super inexpensive. I checked the reviews and people seemed to be happy with their purchase and it looked like people had actually gotten the hoodie. So, I decided I’ll add it to my cart. I ordered December 19th and it stated it wouldn’t deliver until February 5th, but I honestly was in no rush to receive so I thought, for that price it’s totally worth the wait. With this same order I got a free item (just had to pay for shipping) and I chose an avocado slicer. In the same order, I also found a tshirt (the one I’m wearing in this post) for the fiancé for our anniversary. We said we weren’t going to get any gifts this year, but I saw this tee and just had to click add to cart.

Well, needless to say, only 1 out of 3 items was not a disappointment. The avocado slicer arrived first (way under the expected delivery date) and it was horrible. It stunk so bad of chemicals and other weird things. I honestly think a human could’ve gotten poisoned just from inhaling whatever chemicals were on the slicer. I asked the fiancé if maybe it was just me (I have an extremely heightened sense of smell, it’s a curse) and even he said it was disgusting and I threw it out right away. Next came the tee for the fiancé and we were both pleased. It was great quality and it’s the perfect tee for him since he is a mechanic. I also stole it for this post, obviously lol. Now, the last and final item, the sweatshirt that started it all.

IT. NEVER. ARRIVED.

February 5th rolled around and I was super excited so I checked the mailbox and there was nothing. I hopped onto the app and looked up the delivery date, because maybe it delivered but was at a different building (this happens often, the apartment complex is a nightmare with mail), however it said that the delivery date had been updated to the 12th and that if it didn’t arrive by the 12th to contact support. On February 12th, it was not in the mailbox. The following day I sent a message to support. They stated that they would refund me right away and that if the item came I could keep it without any further payments, and that it can take up to 10 business days to process. After two weeks I still didn’t get my refund so I contacted Wish. I got two messages back at the same time. One said that I need to give up to 14 business days for the refund to go through and the other one said that they had refunded me on the 13th and that I needed to contact the bank. I ended up opening a case with PayPal because it’s now been 3 weeks, and there’s still no refund. Thankfully it wasn’t a lot, but it’s still the principal of it all.

Needless to say I WILL NEVER ORDER FROM WISH, NOR WILL I RECOMMEND IT!

Yes, those CAPS were necessary.

Ok, Monica, so what inexpensive overseas stores have you had experience with?

There’s a few that I’ve been super lucky with. Shein, MakeMeChic, and Aliexpress. I know a lot of bloggers (myself included) who have worked with Shein and I know a lot of people might think that these bloggers are not telling the truth because we get their clothing for free. I was a Shein customer before they contacted me to work with me, and even while working with them I’ve bought things on my own. Their quality is hit or miss, but usually it’s really not that bad, but you do have to check sizing for everything. Also, be careful with anything that’s a one size fits all. I usually stick to ordering dresses and tops from Shein and sometimes shoes, because I have an awkward body shape and the pants at Shein just don’t fit me right. There have been a few items where they weren’t 100% what I expected, but I also paid $2 for it, so I mean I can’t complain. They do have a return policy which is great and the returns go to a warehouse in NJ so it’s not going to have to go all the way back to it’s original country before getting your refund.

MakeMeChic I’ve worked with numerous times. I’m sure you’ve seen my posts raving about them, but they are really great. My contact is so incredibly sweet. The prices are decent, and the quality isn’t bad either. Again, just like Shein, certain things aren’t exactly what I expected, but some of the items come in with amazing quality. I sew, and I always look at the construction of a garment. I must say that they do an amazing job. They are also on Amazon, so if you have Amazon Prime you can take advantage of it. I do think they are somehow affiliated with Shein, but I just don’t know how. I’m not sure if Shein is the mother company or vice versa. Regardless, they are great.

Aliexpress, I’ve only had one negative experience with, but I’ve ordered from there a few times and have liked it. The only thing is it takes a while for it to get to you, but it’s totally worth it. The negative experience was I bought a comforter and they said that the order was processing and for a few weeks there was no word as to when it would ship and one day I got an email saying that I would be refunded and that the comforter was sold out. So, I’m not too sure what happened there, but I was refunded immediately and I had purchased a few things at the same time as the comforter and there were no issues with that so this one little hiccup didn’t leave a bad taste in my mouth and I’ve been pleased with Aliexpress.

Alright y’all! Happy first day of March! We only have 19 more days left until it’s officially spring. Since it’s finally March I can introduce the new challenge series I’m going to be doing every Thursday for the month of March. It’s called $10 Thursday Challenge. Each Thursday I will spend only $10 at specific stores and incorporate it into my outfit. Now this challenge was also more than just trying to spend $10 or less, but actually getting me into a store was torture lol. I NEVER go shopping anymore because I just do not have time. There are not enough hours in the day for me. I usually shop online because it’s so easy for me to just type a few search words and add my preferences what I want to spend, whereas going into the store you have to actually look around. This used to be super fun for me, before I was busy and before human beings just became less courteous. I really can’t stand shopping when there are a lot of people. I’d rather wake up early and go shopping in peace and quiet, than sleep in and go when I’m finally ready. I think I’ve just run out of patience too because of how many things are going on in my life.

For today’s post, I decided to do a little DIY. It probably shouldn’t even count as a DIY because it’s super easy haha. The first store from my $10 Challenge Series is Michael’s. If you’ve been following me for a while, there was a point in time where I was ALWAYS at Michael’s or talking about Michael’s because of the Etsy shop I used to have. Well, since then I closed my Etsy shop and I haven’t even logged onto Etsy in months. I go to Michael’s every once in a while when I need something. I walked into Michael’s a few weeks ago and decided that I was going to sew on some patches. Now, the total spent on this was actually over $10 HOWEVER in my defense I have since returned the one item which now puts me under $10. I ended up not using it at all. Now, these patches are iron on patches, but I don’t have an iron and I plan on washing these jeans so I’d rather the patches be sewn on. So, I basically just placed the patches where I wanted them and just sewed them on.

The fiancé and I decided to take a little trip down towards the city and we were still on the NJ side when we saw this. This is in Liberty State Park and is so beautiful. It is a 9/11 memorial called Empty Sky. It’s the first official NJ 9/11 memorial. This is right across the river from where the Twin Towers used to stand. Designed by Jessica Jamroz and Frederic Schwartz, it was dedicated on September 10, 2011, just a day before the tenth anniversary of the attacks. This particular memorial is dedicated to the 746 New Jerseyans who were killed in the World Trade Center in 1993 and in the September 11th attacks at the Pentagon, and Shanksville, PA.

The memorial includes two twin walls which are supposed to be a representation of the twin towers. The names of each 746 victims are etched into the stainless steel. The passage is facing where the twin towers once stood. This memorial is so much prettier in person. If you are ever in NJ you should definitely check it out and then cross the Hudson to go see the actual World Trade Center site and that memorial.

]]>http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/03/10-challenge-michaels-diy-embroidered-jeans/feed/2Keto Friendly Recipe: Lasagna and a Linkuphttp://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/02/keto-friendly-recipe-lasagna-and-a-linkup/
http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/02/keto-friendly-recipe-lasagna-and-a-linkup/#commentsWed, 28 Feb 2018 05:00:04 +0000http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/?p=274410**UPDATE** I had to delete the previous recipe. I did credit the original blog/author of the recipe and stated that it was not mine in the very first sentence, however this was not enough so I’ve deleted it all. I’ve done my research on copyright infringement and I did nothing wrong, however I removed it …

I had to delete the previous recipe. I did credit the original blog/author of the recipe and stated that it was not mine in the very first sentence, however this was not enough so I’ve deleted it all. I’ve done my research on copyright infringement and I did nothing wrong, however I removed it just because I don’t like upsetting people, and to be honest, it’s really not a big deal for me to remove it. Meanwhile I’m dealing with someone stealing 3 of my copyrighted photos and using it to sell their items with no link back to my blog or any compensation to me for using my photos! BUT, that’s a story for another day. Since I was so excited to share the previous recipe that I found (and was actually proud I was able make their recipe that’s why I shared it to begin with), I’ve decided that for this updated post I wanted to link other keto friendly lasagna’s because it was pretty darn good and I want people to know that eating keto is delicious if your body can actually go on a keto diet.

**Please also note, I am not a registered dietician, doctor, or nutrionist. I have been doing the Keto Diet without doctor supervision. What I write here is based on opinion. Please always consult your doctor prior to starting a new health change.

]]>http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/02/keto-friendly-recipe-lasagna-and-a-linkup/feed/22JR Cigar and a Velvet Dresshttp://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/02/jr-cigar/
http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/2018/02/jr-cigar/#commentsTue, 27 Feb 2018 05:00:48 +0000http://jerseygirltexanheart.com/?p=274401Dress: Target (sold out, similar here) // Jacket: MakeMeChic (sold out, similar here) // Boots: Lucky Brand Have any of y’all been to a cigar store/lounge? There’s one in East Hanover, NJ called JR Cigar, which I’ve been to a few times. I don’t smoke cigars, but I do like the smell of them (not …

Have any of y’all been to a cigar store/lounge? There’s one in East Hanover, NJ called JR Cigar, which I’ve been to a few times. I don’t smoke cigars, but I do like the smell of them (not the after smell though) and the food at JR Cigar is SO good. The only downfall is the after smell on your clothes which can be a little ehh, so just keep this in mind if you ever go. They keep it really ventilated, but the smell just sticks to your clothes. Also, since they keep it ventilated, you aren’t sitting in a cloud of smoke, it literally gets sucked up into the ceiling right away haha. The actual shop itself is soooo cool. It’s set up like a library, with the ladder with the swivels and all! It’s a very relaxed environment, and even though it’s mostly men that go, you do see some women. I think it’s nice to see women in places like these because it’s not common, and it’s actually a fun hang out.

Did I mention that their food is really good too? LOL!

Also, just as an fyi, this post isn’t sponsored. The fiancé and I have been to JR Cigar quite a few times because his dad is a cigar smoker, so for certain holidays like Father’s Day we get him a few cigars and he loves it. They also have a wine area which is in between the cigar store and the restaurant. There is also a bar. Now, as for the pictures, I was going to edit them, but to be completely honest, I feel like the orange brings out the atmosphere of the lounge/shop itself so I decided to keep it. These are unedited photos (except for straightening the photo haha). I never thought I’d share unedited photos here on the blog since my iPhone outfit photo days, but I did. I also wanted to stay to stay tuned to Thursday’s post because I have a fun Thursday series for the month of March that I’m super excited about!